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From left, board members Sam Demarco, Rich Fitzgerald and Bethany Hallam listen to questions about election preparations during the Allegheny Board of Elections meeting at the Allegheny County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.
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Bethany Hallam and Rich Fitzgerald are clashing over raising the minimum wage for Allegheny County employees

Emily Matthews/Post-Gazette

Bethany Hallam and Rich Fitzgerald are clashing over raising the minimum wage for Allegheny County employees

A bill in County Council would set a base pay of $20 an hour for all county employees, including part-time and seasonal workers.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said Wednesday that proposed legislation to increase the minimum wage for government employees is “fatally flawed” and would cost taxpayers millions.

At-large County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, the main sponsor of the legislation, proposed the measure last summer, and it was approved by a Council committee Tuesday evening.

The bill would set a base pay of $20 an hour for all county employees, including part-time and seasonal workers. Council’s Government Reform Committee amended the legislation during a meeting Tuesday evening to phase in the pay increase over three years. In 2024, the minimum wage would increase to $18, then $19 in 2025 and $20 in 2026.

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The committee sent the legislation to the full Council for approval — but that may be tough to come by.

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Mr. Fitzgerald on Wednesday warned that the legislation could cost taxpayers about $30 million — and that it violates the county’s Home Rule Charter.

After 12 years of no tax increase, Bethany Hallam is proposing a huge tax increase for taxpayers in Allegheny County,” he said in a statement. “Her bill would cost taxpayers at least $30 million dollars and would require the largest tax increase in the history of this government.”

Mr. Fitzgerald cited a review conducted by the county law department in saying the bill would violate both the Home Rule Charter and state law. 

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"It's disappointing to me that this legislation would move forward when it's clearly fatally flawed,” he said. “This undermines the idea of good, responsible government that was put in place with this county's home rule charter when it was enacted by the voters 24 years ago."

Mr. Fitzgerald also said the legislation would take away “the rights of unions to bargain their wages,” in violation of labor law. More than 30 different unions represent county employees. Full-time county employees will already make a minimum of $18 an hour as of next Jan. 1, Mr. Fitzgerald said.

“Those terms were bargained for in good faith by our labor unions,” he added. 

Ms. Hallam did not respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday. But she shot back at Mr. Fitzgerald on Twitter by saying the legislation includes language that “says it is not binding on any current” collective bargaining agreement, but rather “sets a floor for future contracts.”  And she rejected Mr. Fitzgerald’s assertion that it violates local statute.

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When Ms. Hallam first introduced the bill, she said it had a wide range of employees’ best interests in mind.

“No one should have to work multiple jobs to support themselves, support their family,” she said last June. “But that’s the reality.”

Ms. Hallam and Mr. Fitzgerald, who is term-limited, have clashed often since she was elected in 2019. Ms. Hallam is running for re-election to her at-large council seat in the May 16 Democratic primary election against Joanna Doven. Mr. Fitzgerald has endorsed Ms. Doven and called Ms. Hallam “a damage to democracy.”

Mr. Fitzgerald did not say whether he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk. But if he does, Council could override his veto with 10 of 15 votes in favor. Council successfully overrode a veto by Mr. Fitzgerald last summer to enact legislation banning fracking in county parks. 

Council members Sam DeMarco and Suzanne Filiaggi raised concerns similar to Mr. Fitzgerald’s during the committee meeting Tuesday. 

Hallie Lauer: hlauer@post-gazette.com

First Published: May 10, 2023, 5:03 p.m.
Updated: May 11, 2023, 9:43 a.m.

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From left, board members Sam Demarco, Rich Fitzgerald and Bethany Hallam listen to questions about election preparations during the Allegheny Board of Elections meeting at the Allegheny County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.  (Emily Matthews/Post-Gazette)
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